

“From the age of magnificence comes a new magnificence in motion pictures.”
During the Italian Renaissance, Pope Julius II contracts the influential artist Michelangelo to sculpt 40 statues for his tomb. When the pope changes his mind and asks the sculptor to paint a mural in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo doubts his painting skills and abandons the project. Divine inspiration returns Michelangelo to the mural, but his artistic vision clashes with the pope's demanding personality and threatens the success of the historic painting.

Charlton Heston
Michelangelo
Lead
Rex Harrison
Papa Giulio II

Diane Cilento
Contessina de'Medici

Harry Andrews
Bramante

Alberto Lupo
Duca di Urbino

Adolfo Celi
Giovanni de' Medici

Venantino Venantini
Paride de Grassis

Tomas Milian
Raffaello Sanzio
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Carol Reed's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. The Agony and the Ecstasy is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”